How To Change The Color Of Your Hydrangea

 

How to Change the Color of Your Hydrangea

 

Did you know you may be able to change the color of your Hydrangea blooms? For many pink-and-blue Bigleaf Hydrangeas, flower color is influenced by soil chemistry—especially soil pH and the availability of aluminum.

This doesn’t apply to every Hydrangea. White-flowering varieties generally remain white, and some cultivars have a more limited color range regardless of soil conditions.

 
 

Start With a Soil Test

 

Before adding anything to your soil, test the soil pH first. This will tell you whether your soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline and help determine whether an amendment is actually needed.

As a general rule, more acidic soil conditions make aluminum more available to the plant, which encourages blue or blue-purple flowers. In more alkaline conditions, aluminum is less available and flowers tend to be pink or reddish-pink.

It’s a little more complicated than simply saying “acidic equals blue and alkaline equals pink,” because available aluminum is an important part of the color change.

 
 

Want Pink Hydrangea Blooms?

 

 

If you have a Hydrangea capable of changing color and your soil is acidic, garden lime can gradually raise the soil pH and encourage pinker flowers.

Don’t add lime without testing your soil first. Apply only the amount recommended for your soil conditions and follow the product directions. Changing soil pH is a gradual process, and adding too much lime can create nutrient problems for the plant.

 
 

Want Blue Hydrangea Blooms?

 

 

For a color-changing Hydrangea, aluminum sulfate may be used to encourage blue flowers by supplying aluminum while also helping create more acidic soil conditions.

Again, more isn’t better! Excessive aluminum sulfate can damage roots and alter the soil chemistry too dramatically. Test your soil first and always follow the product label.

 
 

Be Patient!

 

Changing Hydrangea color isn’t an overnight project. Soil chemistry changes gradually, and you may notice flowers transitioning through shades of pink, lavender, purple, or blue along the way.

Container-grown Hydrangeas can sometimes be easier to manage for flower color because you have greater control over the potting mix and amendments.

Most importantly, keep your Hydrangea healthy first and consider flower color a bonus! Give it the appropriate light, consistent moisture, good drainage, and the growing conditions it needs to thrive.